Table of Contents
- What is a Morning Routine Checklist?
- Why You Need a Morning Routine Checklist
- Is There a Proven Difference Between Those Who Have a Morning Routine vs Those that Don’t?
- Who Are Some Successful People Who Have a Morning Routines?
- Morning Routine Checklist Example
Introduction
There's nothing like getting off to a productive start to your day. In this article I will be discussing the importance and benefits of having a
morning routine checklist. Over the past 20 years I've used checklists in order to maximize my efforts each and everyday, so this was both fun and nostalgic for me to write. I cover everything from setting goals for the day ahead, to ensuring a productive and successful start to your day, we'll explore the reasons why having a morning routine is crucial for personal and professional success. We'll also be sharing some real-life examples of successful people who have a morning routine, as well as providing some inspiration for creating your own morning routine checklist. So, whether you're a busy professional, a student, or a stay-at-home parent, read on to learn how a morning routine can help you achieve your goals and take control of your day.
What is a Morning Routine Checklist?
A morning routine checklist is a simple, yet very powerful tool that will make all the difference when it comes to starting your day off on the right foot. It's a list of tasks or activities that you plan to complete before beginning your day's main activities. These tasks can include anything from making your bed and having breakfast, to meditation and exercise. The idea is to set a routine that works for you, so you can start your day feeling energized, motivated, and ready to take on the world.
For example, a morning routine checklist for a busy professional might include:
- Wake up at 6:00AM
- Make bed
- Take a shower
- Review daily schedule and to-do list
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Spend 15 minutes in meditation or yoga
- Leave the house by 8:00AM
On the other hand, a morning routine checklist for a student might include:
- Wake up at 7:00AM
- Make bed
- Eat breakfast
- Review notes or read a chapter of a textbook
- Spend 15 minutes in exercise
- Leave the house by 8:00AM
As you can see, a morning routine checklist can be tailored to fit your specific needs and goals. No matter whether you are a professional or a student trying to push out a few good grades. As a rule of thumb, your day is more likely to end the right way, when it starts the right way. Let's go!
Reasons Why You Need a Morning Routine Checklist
A checklist to start your day is more than just a list of things to-do. If you’re not used to running your day off a checklist you can easily make the mistake of underestimating its importance. I’ve personally seen the difference in my own life, along with my students and employees, when your daily activities lack structure. Ouch! It's a powerful tool that can help you unlock the full potential of your productivity and set yourself up for success. Here are a few good reasons to consider:
1. Start your day off on a positive note:
A checklist helps establish a sense of routine and urgency. This way you will feel more in control of your of your time and thus more motivated, and this will impact the overall quality of your daily output. The more days on the productive end the more successful you will become overall.
2. Increases your focus and productivity:
By completing a set of tasks before beginning your day's main activities, you'll be more focused and productive throughout the day. This is because you've already accomplished something and you're not starting your day feeling overwhelmed by all the things you need to do. Similar to seeing crossed out items on your to-do list as the day progresses, this will definitely give you a mental advantage.
3. Focuses on self-care and well-being: A morning routine checklist can include self-care tasks such as meditation, exercise, and healthy breakfast. These tasks can help you start your day feeling super refreshed and ready to take on the world with a ton of energy.
4. Helps you achieve your goals:
A morning routine checklist can include tasks that are directly related to your goals such as reviewing your schedule, reviewing your to-do list or reading something related to your goals. By including these tasks in your morning routine, you'll be more likely to make progress towards your goals.
5. Gives you a sense of accomplishment:
Completing a morning routine checklist can give you a sense of accomplishment, and this can help boost your confidence and motivation throughout the day.
Is There a Proven Difference Between Those Who Have a Morning Routine vs Those That Don't?
No matter how convincing my own story is when it comes to the importance of having a morning ritual, I felt the need to cite a few studies in support of this article. Research has consistently shown that having a morning routine can have a significant impact on our productivity, motivation, and overall well-being. I took the liberty of listing a few of those studies below:
- A well-documented study conducted by the University of Bristol found that individuals who had a morning routine were more likely to be satisfied with their lives and reported higher levels of well-being compared to those without a morning routine.
- At the University of Twente in the Netherlands they found that by having a consistent morning routine (I cannot stress consistency enough, you must make this part of your life!) can lead to better time management, increased productivity, and improved focus throughout the day. The study also found that people with a morning routine were less likely to procrastinate and had a better chance of achieving their goals.
- Another study conducted by the University of Westminster found that people with a morning routine had a better sense of control over their lives and were more likely to be proactive in achieving their goals. Additionally, a morning routine was found to be associated with increased self-esteem and overall well-being.
- Lastly, research conducted by the University of Hertfordshire that found that people who have a morning routine tend to be more successful in achieving their goals, they tend to be less stressed and more productive. They also found that having a morning routine helps in improving people's mood and overall well-being.
Who Are Some Successful People That Have Morning Routines?
From business moguls to world leaders, many of the world's most accomplished individuals have a morning routine that sets them up for success.
- Oprah Winfrey is known for her hard work. She starts her day at 7am and gets in a good workout, meditation, and affirmations. These are three very powerful tools to getting started on the right foot.
- Richard Branson, the super accomplished mogul who wakes up at 5 am and spends the first hour of his day exercising, reading, and planning.
- Apple CEO Tim Cook begins his day at 3:45am and checks his emails ahead of going to the gym. This allows him to start ahead, and while it may not work for everyone, the key is striking the right. He’s come to realize that this works best for him after years of trial and error. It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for you.
- Former president Barack Obama would wake up at 6:30am, give or take, and spend the first hour working out, followed by catching up on emails. Seems the inverse of Mr. Cook, and perfect example of doing what works for you.
All of these successful people have one thing in common, they have a way of going about things that allows them to get ahead and stay ahead. By starting their day with exercise, meditation, affirmations, reading, planning, and responding to emails, they are able to set themselves up for a productive and successful day.
